r 

rench's International Co, VruJ:iied (in England, her Colonies, and ih< 

United States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors. 

3367 No. 173. 

Wg 

Y WOMAN'S WILES 

% ^lap in #ne %tt 



WILLIAM YOUNG 

author of "hen hur," "the rajah," etc. 
Copyright, 1909, by William Young 




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^ Wiles" being fully protected under the copyright laws ^ 

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WOMAN'S WILES 



% pap in <©ne %a 



By 

WILLIAM YOUNG 

AUTHOR OF " BEN HUR," " THE RAJAH," ETC. 



Copyright, 1909, by William Young 



CAUTION -.—All persons are hereby warned that " A Woman's Wiles," 
being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, 
is subject to royalty, and any one presenting the play without the 
consent of the author or his authorized agent, will be liable to the 
penalties by law provided. Application for stage rights must be 
made to Samuel French, 24 West 23nd Street, New York City. 

All Rights Reserved 



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CHARACTERS. 

Zaide, . ~ A young Algerian wife. 

Abdallah An elderly Algerian husband. 

The Wise Man A tourist. 



©GI.D 1737b 



WOMAN'S WILES. 



Scene.— Algiers. 
Time. The present. 



Scene. — Apartinent in a house in Algiers. Furniture and 
furnishings Moorish. Rugs, divans, etc. Doortvay, 
curtained C, in flat. Another L. 2. Latticed window, 
R. 2. Divan, L. C. Small stand, with flask, and drink- 
ing vessels, R. i. Scimitar on wall, L. i. Large chest, 
of Oriental workmanship, tip R. c. On the chest, a 
woman's veil and mantle — the veil being 7nore properly 
a 7nask, covering the lower part of the face, up to th^ 
eyes. 
ABT)Xl.l.An {without, calling, at curtain) Cassim ! Lazy 
dog ! Where is your mistress ? Cassim ! Is my house de- 
serted ? 
{Enter Abdallah L. 2., in his hand a book. He looks about 

him and calls.) 
Zaide ! Ah ! she is not far. Here is her veil. {He picks 
it up) She has just returned from the baths ; and now she 
is in her bower. She is tinting her Httle nails with henna, 
and making her eyes brilliant with kohl. How true it is ! 
{Reads, from book) "When woman is not engaged in con- 
quest, she is putting on her armor — or taking it off." What 
a fortunate thing that I found this book ! " Abdallah," they 
said to me — all my friends — " old fool, Abdallah I— you at 

3 



4: WOMAN'S WILES. 

forty-five, to take a young wife ! She will use you as the 
slipper on her foot. She will dupe you. She will scatter 
your money, as the simoon scatters the sands." And it 
would all have come to pass — if I had not, by chance, stopped 
to chat with the bookseller, and found this. Now we shall 
see. (Sz'^s on divan R. C. and studies book, chuckli7ig) 

{Enfer Zaide, door C. in fiat. She sta7tds for an instatit in 
doorway, holding apart the curtains. She is dressed 
gorgeously, after the fashio7i of the harefn.) 

Zaide. Light of my life ! 

Abd. {lookiftg up). Ah! Zaide! 

Zaide {approaching him). What have you there ? 

Abd. A book. 

Zaide. Put it away. 

Abd. And why ? 

Zaide. Because — I am here. 

{She throws herself down on divan beside him, and puts an 
arm about his neck.) 

Abd. a good reason, truly ! Zaide, you are beautiful. 

Zaide. Say that with your eyes. 

Abd. But why are you always adorning yourself ? Why 
do you seek to improve upon Allah ? 

Zaide. Is it not pleasing to my lord .'* For what do I 
live, but to be beautiful in his sight ? 

Abd. {aside). Ah! That is the way they begin. But 
tell me — where have you been to-day ? 

Zaide. Where ? Nowhere, To the baths. 

Abd. And whom did you see there } 

Zaide. Oh ! — so many ! 

Abd. They chatted and chattered, as usual ? And of 
what did they talk ? 

Zaide. They were wives. Of what should they have 
talked, but of their husbands ? 

Abd. Eh ? There was no mention of lovers ? 

Zaide. Lovers and husbands — are they not the same ? . 

Abd. Umph ! Perhaps — sometimes. {Gla?icing at book) 



WOMAN'S WILES. 5 

Zaide. Why do you say that ? And why do you look at 
the book ? 

Abd. No matter. You talked of us. We suffered, then ? 
Zaide. How little Abdallah knows of women ! Would 
one woman dispraise her husband to another ? 

Abd. Eh? H'm ! That sounds well. Then you praised 
us ? And what did you say of me ? (Zaide, looking at him, 
after a pause, drops her eyes) What ? Nothing ? You, 
only, could find nothing to say of your husband ? 

Zaide. Does Abdallah need praise ? Does not everyone 
know him ? When he walks abroad, do they not all look 
through their lattices, and envy me ? Let them talk. / am 
the wife of Abdallah. {Embracing hitn) 

Abd. {aside). Eh ? Eh ? It is coming. You are happy, 
then? {She renews her embrace) You are content ? Quite 
content ? There is nothing you wish for ? {She glances at 
lizfft — then suddenly drops her eyes, and sighs) But you 
sigh. 

Zaide. I was thinking. 
Abd. Of what? 

Zaide. Of the wife of Rustem. She was boasting to-day. 
She said, " My husband is the. most wealthy, the most gener- 
ous man in Algiers. See ! He has given me this great gold 
chain. There is not, in all Algiers, another so costly— so 
beautiful." 
Abd. Well ? 

Zaide. Well, it was a lie. There is another, far more 
beautiful, in the shop of Jansi, the goldsmith— longer, by 
half ; and with carving — Oh, so fine ! 
Abd. And you would like it ? 

Zaide. Only if Abdallah would like me to wear it— to 
silence that boasting wife of Rustem. 
Abd. {laughing). Ah ! ha ! ha ! 
Zaide. But why do you laugh ? 

Abd. Because it is all so true. Listen ! {Reads, from 
book) " When the bride of more than a month caresses and 
flatters her lord, let him look to his purse-strings, for she has 
designs upon them." Ha ! ha ! 



Q . WOMAN'S WILES. 

Zaide. Wicked book! {S7iatching it from his hand, 
and rising) Where did you get it ? What is it ? {Ex- 
a?}iining it) 

Abd. Ah ! You will not read it. It is written in Prank- 
ish. But, it is not a " wicked " book. On the contrary, it is 
a very good book — and to husbands, a useful book. It is 
called '* Woman's Wiles." {Pointi^ig to title) 

Zaide {looking at him — after brief pause, contemptu- 
ously). Humph ! 

Abd. But, you think there is no man wise enough to 
understand you ? Well, you see there is one — or has been. 
He has written it all down here — all the wiles that women 
have used, from the beginning of time. And, of course, it 
is not likely, now, that any new ones will be invented. So 
you see, whenever you try to deceive me (Zaide petu- 
lantly casts away book. Sits on divan, R. C, a7id looks 
doiun, with frow7iing brows. Abd ALLAH picks up book) 
laughing) But the book does not interest you. It is of the 
chain that you are thinking. Come, then — I will make a 
compact with you. Among the Franks there is a game 
called " Diadeste." Two people agree that ^whichever ac- 
cepts anything from the other, must at once say " Diadeste." 
You hear ? 

Zaide {half sulleji half curious). " Diadeste " ! What 
does that mean ? 

Abd. 1 do not know. It is a word. But, if the one who 
accepts does not say it, then the giver may claim a forfeit, — 
and may choose what it shall be. You understand ? 

Zaide (sullenly). No ! 

Abd. It is very simple. Observe ! If you and I play at 
this game, and I accept anything from you, and do not say 
" Diadeste " — the chain is yours. 

Zaide {interested). If you accept anything from me.^ 

Abd, Anything whatever — and do not say " Diadeste " — 

Zaide {springing up). It is agreed. 

Abd. Very good ! And now, Zaide, I am going in search 
of a new servant. That worthless Cassim is never at his 



WOMAN'S WILES. /^ 

post. The door stands open ; and the infidel dogs, who are 
always prowling about, might walk in from the street. 

Zaide {filling glass, from fiask at stand). But Abdallah 
will sip a cordial before he goes ? 

Abd. Willingly. 

Zaide {offering glass). That his walk may not weary 
him. 

Amy. {taking the glass). How kind ! " Diadeste.'' Ha! 
ha! 

Zaide {petulantly). Ugh! How silly! (Abdallah, 
shaking with laughter at her discomfiture, dri7iks the cor- 
dial). You thought I would try to catch you so soon. No I 
I shall wait— till to-morrow— or perhaps till long after— till 
you have forgotten. 

Abd. Oh, you will catch me. It is very easy. Lay your 
plans, then — till I return. {Going) 

Zaide. No ! I shall not think of it. I shall think of you, 

Abd. Ah } 

Zaide {embracing and kissing him). Allah be with you ! 

Abd. " Diadeste ! " 

Zaide. Oh ! {Turning with exclamation of angry dis~ 
appoi/itment) 

Abd. {laughing boisterously) . Ha! ha! ha I 

Zaide. And you must say that, every time I kiss you ? 

Abd. As if you did not know ! Ah ! you thought it a 

new trick. But listen {Reads from, book) " Whereupon 

Fastrada gave him a kiss, and the great Charlemagne, not 
reckoning a kiss as anything " 

Zaide {snatching the book froin his hand). Hateful 
book! 

Abd. Yes— she caught him, as you would have caught 
me. But you see— you can think of nothing that is not set 
down there. ( Tapping the book in her hand) It is com- 
plete. It is perfect. 

Zaide {putting the book behind her). You shall not have 
it again. 

Abd. Come ! It is of no use to you. You cannot read 
it. 



8 WOMAN'S WILES. 

Zaide. I will burn it. 

Abd. No, no ! I forbid it. Besides, I could get another. 
Give it me. 

Zaide. You would only say " Diadeste." 

Abd. It is likely. {Holding out his hand for the book) 

Zaide {still holdijig it behind her). No ! 

Abd, Very well, then ! See what you can make of it. 
But do not dare to destroy it. I shall not be long. 
{Exit, L. 2. — pausing for a mo7nent in doorway, and griti- 
ning at her.) 

Zaide {inspecting the book). Achmet might read it to me. 
But he would tell Abdallah'. There are many Franks in the 
street. Any of them could read it. {Goes to window, and 
looks out) There is one, now ! He is a traveller. He has 
a veil about his hat. How stupid ! And he holds glasses to 
his eyes. He is looking at something. {Suddenly steps back 
fro?n window) It was at me. But, of course, I could not 
speak to him. {Peers out again, cautiously) He is gone. 
( With sudden resolve) I will go to Achmet. Let him tell 
Abdallah if he likes. {Putting on veil and mantle) And if 
Achmet is not at home, I will go to the letter-writer. At 

least, I shall know 

{Enter, L. 2., the Wise Ma^— garbed as a modern tourist. 
Zaide recoils, r.) 

Wise Man. Ah ! my beautiful one ! For that you are 
beautiful, I have already had proof. And why do you veil 
yourself now ? All stratagems are vain with me. 

Zaide. Why do you come here } 

Wise Man. Because you wished me to come. Or, why 
did you tell me so, when you looked at me from the window ! 

Zaide. I looked at you but once. 

Wise Man. Once is enough — to him who understands. 
Come ! I will be plain with you. I am not a gallant. I am 
a philosopher. I have answered your signals, because to me 
a mystery is something to be investigated. If it is love you 
wish — no ! You must look elsewhere. But, if in any other 
respect I can serve you — Well ? 



WOMAN'S WILES. 9 

Zaide {after an instatit of hesitation). Yes — you 7nay 
serve me, Effendi. Read this to me, {Offers book) 

Wl'SE Man. Wiiat ? All of it ? ( Taking book) Eh ? 
Shades of the immortals ! Where did you get this ? 

Zaide. It is my husband's. 

Wise Man {with a quick glance about him). Ah ! Then, 
you have a husband ? 
■ Zaide. He is not here, Effendi. 

Wise Man. I had assumed as much. But this ! {Again 
gazing 071 the book) That I should find it here ! 

Zaide. I cannot read it, Effendi — I am so very ignorant. 
But you can read it — can you not ? 

Wise Man. Well, it is to be hoped so — since it v^^as I 
who v^rote it. 

Zaide. YOU? 

Wise Man {holding the book aloft). My master work ! 
My elucidation of the mystery of mysteries — woman ! 
Slighted by the critics of Christendom ! And now I meet 
with it, in an Arab harem ! 

Zaide. How strange ! 

Wise Man. " Strange ? " It is astounding. It is fame. 

Zaide. But it is true, Effendi, that it contains them all } 

Wise Man. All ? All what ? Ah ! {Glancittg at the 
title) All the wiles of woman .'' Well, if there is one that 
has escaped me, I would give something handsome to dis- 
cover it. 

Zaide {wonder ingly). How very wise you must be ! 

Wise Man. Oh, so, so ! 

Zaide. How many women you must have known. 

Wise Man. A goodly number! 

Zaide. And loved! 

Wise Man. " Loved } " Ah, no ! The man who loves, 
learns nothing of women. It is only he, who is loved. {Bow- 
ing, and touching himself on the breast) 

Zaide. Ah ! Then you will read it to me — will you not ? 
And if we have not time for it all, you will read me, at 
least {Pauses — hesitates) 



10 WOMAN'S WILES, 

, "Wise Man. Well ? Tell me— what is it that you par- 
ticularly wish to know ? 

Zaide. How I may win my husband. 

Wise Man. So! Then he neglects you ? He beats you, 
perhaps ? (Zaide tosses her head scornfully) No ! By 
the toss of your head, he would not be wise to attempt that. 
He loves another ? (Zaide cotite7nptitously shrugs her shoul- 
ders) You shrug your shoulders. You have no fear of a 
rival. Let me guess but once more. He refuses you gifts. 
(Zaide's head drops on her bosom) Ah ! yes ! It is the 
first symptom. But what wiles have you tried } You should 
have some of your own. And there are charms, which are 
wiles in themselves. Your face, for example — it seemed to me 
attractive. But, it is true, I had only a glimpse. Perhaps 
upon closer inspection {Fixes glass in his eye, a?td re- 
gards her expectantly) 

Zaide {after a slight pause). Yes — you were mistaken, 
Effendi. I am not beautiful. It is for that reason I ask you 
to help me. {Suddetily unveiling, a7id bending her face 
toward hitn) 

Wise Man. Ah ! as my first glance told me. Dazzling ! 
And if you had not been sure of the effect you would never 
have tried this wile upon me. But come — it is clever — but 
it is ancient. Cleopatra practised that upon Caesar. And 
besides, the face is not all. One may have charming 
features, yet if grace of form be lacking — or even with grace 
of form, if there be not that subtle indescribable something, 
in air, carriage, manners, dress. (Zaide suddenly casts off 
her mantle. The WISE Man recoils in admiration) Ah ! 
Superb ! And your husband neglects you ? It must be 
that he is blase — like myself. 

Zaide. And what is it to be blase, Effendi.? 

Wise Man. Humph. {Shaking his head and smiling 
sadly) It is to have seen everything — to have experienced 
everything — and to take an interest in nothing. — Except 
perhaps an occasional seeming mystery — and as soon as 
that is solved, to lose interest also in that. (Zaide suddenly 



WOMAN'S WILES. 11 

whirls, turning her back upon him, and stands far a 
moment in an attitude of angry impatience — her hands 
thrown up bchitid her heaa) Yes — I am not complimentan-. 
I am no gallant — as I have told you. {Giam-ing at her 
admiringly) Eh ? What a pose I But it is best to speak 
the truth. I confess, I am no longer susceptible. Not 
even beauty in distress can move me now. I am hardened 
— I am proof— I — (Zaide with quick moi'cmcnt, and ges- 
tnre of mingled petulance and scorn, throTvs herself on 
divan) Dian I What grace ! What scornful abandon ! 
It is sad — to think that such loveliness exists, and that there 
are men like your husband, and myself, to whom it is all — 
{Breaking off with bleise gesture. Zaide tossing on divan, 
kicks off Jur slipper) Venus I What a foot ! Fresh from 
the foam ! H'm ! Shall I put on your slipper, little one } 
{He approaches^ and kneels to pick up slipper) 

Zaide {sharply. Rising to a sitti/ig posture). No ! 
{Thrusts her foot again into her slipper) 

Wise Max. No.? {Rising and turniiig away) Ah, 
well — But if I were not blase 

Zaide. And that is all that you can tell me? You can 
teach me nothing. Effendi ? 

Wise Man. Well — as a last resort — there are the wiles 
that appeal to the intellect. The women of the Western 
world are ver}' skilled in these. When man will no longer 
talk to them of love, they talk to him of philosophy — of soul- 
culture — of anything, in fact, to which he will listen. It is 
ver}- effective — sometimes, 

Zaide {rising). And what should I know of such 
things ? I see, Effendi — you cannot help me — even you, 
with all your wisdom. Go then, and take your book with 
you. After all I shall live. Allah is good — and what is to 
be will be. {Sings and dances, to a slow measure, accom^ 
panying herself with the chiming of little bells, which hang 
from her bracelets) 

Nothing I know of the \\-isdom of men, or the Magi. 

Dull to my ears are the dronings of Hazfi, and Hadji. 



10 WOMAN'S WILES. 

Only a woman am I — and so love me, or leave me ! 
Allah is good. There are birds in the gardens of Na'im. 

(Ceasing to sing, she continues to dance, to the same slow 
measure, and the accompaniment of the little bells.) 

Wise Man {regarding her, nvith growing admiration- 
aside). It is foolish. The trick is old. Salome danced 
before Herod. It is old — but by Heaven I It is entrancing. 
{Suddenly springing forward, he catches her about the 
waist) Exquisite, adorable creature ! 

ZaIDE {struggling to free herself) . Oh ! Oh I EfiFendi ! 
But you said that you were proof. 

Wise Man. ^ And so I am — against the " grand passion.'' 
Proof, impregnable ! But for a turn with Terpsichore — a 
pas de deux — come ! {Attempts to dance ivith her) 

Aed. {calling, without). Cassim ! 

Zaid-E {freeing herself). Ah! Hush! 

Abd. {without). Gone ! Again ! And the door open ! 

Zaide. It is my husband. 

W^ISE Man {alarmed) . The deuce ! 

Zaide {running to door L. 2, and listening). He is 
coming up the stain^^ay. 

Wise Man. But there is another ? 

Zaide. No ! 

Wise Man. No other stairway ! {Rushes to window, 
and looks out) And the window thirty feet from the 
ground I Heavens ! What a predicament ! 

Abd. {without — loudly). Eh ? What ? Jansi ! You 
here ? 

Wise Man. He has met some one. 

Zaide {herself listening anxiously). Listen ! 

Wise Man. But of what use to hsten ? In another 
minute he may meet me. 

Abd. {without — his voice still rising). What ? She 
told you to bring it ? Wretch ! You are in collusion with 
her. It is a scheme to rob me. 

Zaide {wringing her hands). Yes— he will soon be 
here. And he is already angry. He is terrible, Efiendi. 



WOMAXS wnE5. 13 

Wise >Ian. But don't teil me that I Get me aut of this, 
woman I For there must be a way. Don t say there isn t. 
( TurnzTtg-, aytd rang-zng- aiaiU the apartment, in. wdd 
alarm. Zaidk clasps ner hands, and laoks up hopelessly.) 
Then hide me— somewhere— an^rwhere \ Here I {Dashing 
toward door C, infisii.) 

Zaide. No ! {Runnzng- to chest, up R. C, she thrmvs 
up the lid, and paints to the interior) Look ! It is your 
only chance- 

WiSE Man iaghasf). What ? In there r But I snail he 
suffocated. 

Zaide i^mith shrug). As you choose. 
WlSE Mav {.Tuith groan— getting into chestS. Oh \ 
What a situation. 

Zaide. Quick! Lie down! Be silmt. i^She closes the 
chest an him, and locks it. taking aut and retaining th^ 
large Oriental key) 

Wise Man ^inside the chests. Eh? But stop! Yau 
are locking it. 

Zaide. It is for your safety. Listen \ can you hear me ? 
Wise >Ian. Yes. 

Zaide. Be silent, then — whatever you may hear. iShe 
walks quickly to "9.., front, turns, facing door, and stands 
with folded arms, and gloomy knitted brorus) 

Abd. {shouting— without). Five hundred franks, indeed! 
Wait for me. I'll teach her. 
{Enter, Abd. door L. z. — carry ir^ a long, gold chain, which 

he displays to ZaiDE.) 
Look ! What does this mean ? Whom do you think I 
found at the door ? But you know, only too well. It was 
Jansi. the goldsmith— with this in his hand. And what do 
you think he told me ? That you had ordered it. and had 
said that I would pay for it. Weil, I will not pay for it. do 
you hear ? Unless you win it, in the way I told you of— and 
that you will hardly do, I fancy. Eh? I am up to your 
games. {Laying his finger beside his nose) 

Zaide ^ solemnly and sternly). And do you thmk of 



jij. WOMAN'S Vv^il::s. 

nothing but your gold, Abdallah ? Much you cr.re for the 
wife of your bosom ! Much, for the honor of your house. 

Abd. Eh ? The honor of my house ? 

Zaide. Did you not leave me — alone — with the doors 
standing open ? 

Abd. What ? There has been someone here. {She ten- 
folds her arms iti a sweep mg gesture of assent, and casts 
down her eyes') An infidel? A man? {She clasps her 
hands and looks upward in conficsion. Glancing wildly 
about him, and thrusting the chain into his girdle, he 
continues : — ) By the beard of the Prophet ! But you 
called for help ? 

Zaide. To whom ? Who was there to answer? 

Abd. But you ordered him away ? You frightened him ? 
You got rid of him ? 

Zaide. And think you there is a woman who could so 
outwit him who wrote this book ? {Pointing to the book on 
floor) 

Abd. He — he has been here ! 

Zaide. It is the judgment of Allah, upon you. You- 
brought the book. He followed. 

Abd. {groaning) . Jahannam ! And he dared to make 
love to you ? 

Zaide {approaching him). His arm was about my 
waist, Abdallah. His lips were close to mine. 

Abd. Miserable woman ! You tell me this ? And he is 
gone. He has escaped ! 

Zaide {with dramatic force). No ! He has not escaped. 

Abd. Eh? 

Zaide. Wise though he is, I have entrapped him. He 
hears me now, and trembles. 

Abd. What ? He is here ? Where ? 

Zaide. Look ! I have locked him in that chest, 
Abdallah. 

Abd. Ha! 

Zaide {holding aloft the key). Take now this key — and 
avenge your honor and mine ! 



WOMAN'S WILES. 15 

( JVz/k a cry of rage, Abdallah seizes the key, rushes to 
L. r.. snatches the scimetar from the wail, and with a 
second cry which rises to a roar, springs toward the 
chest, bearing the key in one hand, and brandishing the 
scimetar with the other. Instantly Zaide springs 
before him, barring his way and answeriftg his cry 
with a ringing peal of laughter.) 

Zaide {hilariously and exultantly). The chain! The 
chain ! My chain ! {Stretching out her hands for it.) 

Abd. {halting — wonderingly). Woman ! What mean 
you ? 

Zaide. Well — did you not take the key ? And did you 
say — " Diadeste ? *' 

Abd. {casting down the key,' and beating forehead). Ah ! 
Pig- of an idiot, that I am ! And there is no one there ? 
{Glancing toward chest. She responds with a smile, and 
a shrug) Of course ! Or you never would have told me. 
Ugh ! {Dashing down the scimetar) Here ! Take your 
accursed chain ! {Hurlijtg it at her. She catches it, with 
a cry of Joy) And Jahannam take you! — and the wife of 
Rustem ! — and the book ! {Kicking the book) And the 
father of liars that wrote it !— But if ever again you cozen 
me, with one of your Scheherazade tales — (Zaide, ignoring 
him, poses and pirouettes, R., lost in admiration of her 
chain. Abd. observing her, breaks off, explosively : — ) 
Bah ! {He rushes out, L. 2, calling as he goes, and after 
his exit) Come ! — dog of a goldsmith ! Come— get your 
money I (Zaide, running to door L. 2., inclines her head 
toward it, and stands, listening, till his voice dies away. 
A knocking is heard, frojn within chest.) 

ZwTf-E. {turning her head). Ah! You are there ! {Ap- 
proaching the chest a?id bending over it she asks: — ) 
Well } You heard ? 

Wise Man {tn chest— faintly). Let me out ! Quick ! 
I am dying. 

Zaide {picking up key from floor, starts to unlock chest. 
Pauses, again bends over, and asks .•— ) But you will add, 



3V 15 1903 



16 WOMFNS WILES. 

perhaps, a chapter to the book ? {A deep groan is heard 
from the chest ; then a louder and more desperate knock- 
ing. She turns the key and throws back the lid) Allah, 
be with you! {Pirouetting R., she again becomes intent 
upon her chain. The Wise Man rises up in the chest, 
haggard, and disheveled) 

Wise Man. Oh ! you— you 

Zaide {not deigning to look toward him^posing, in 
admiration of her chain). He has gone to the money- 
changer's, Effendi — but he will not be gone long. 

Wise Man {stepping out of the chest, and picking up the 
book). Yes! I will add a chapter to the book. And it 
shall be brief. It shall consist of these words : — Though 
the wiles of woman be numbered, and renumbered, be it 
remembered there is always one more. And what that may 
be, not even Solomon 

Zaide {stringutg the chain across her arrets, afid regard- 
ing it adjniringly, interrupts — singing, and dancing — 
oblivious of the Wise Man). Nothing I know of the wis- 
dom of men, or the Magi — ( 7"^^ Wise Ma^ glancing^ from 
her to the book in his hand utters ajt ejaculatiojt of disgtist) 
Dull to mine ears are the dronings of Hafiz and Hadji. — 
{Casting a last glance upon the book, the WiSE Man lifts it 
above his head, dashes it to the floor, and rushes out, L. 2. 
Zaide continues to sing and dance — now with quickened 
movement and abandon.) 

Only a woman am I — and so love me, or leave me ! 
Allah is good. — There are birds in the garden of Na'im. 



CURTAIN. 



^^SEND FOR A NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUB. 



VOL. XLI. 

321 The Pirate's Legacy 

322 The Charcoal Burner 

323 Adelgitba 

324 Senor Valiente 

325 Forest Rose 

326 Uuke's Daaghter 
321 Camilla's Husband 

328 Pure <4old 

VOL. XLIL 

329 Ticket ot Leave Man 

330 Fool's Revenge 

331 O'Neil the Great 

332 Handy Andy 

333 Pirate of the Isles 

334 Kauchon 

335 Little Barefoot 

336 Wild Irish Girl 

VOL. XLIII. 

337 Pearl of Savoy 

338 Dead Heart 

339 Ten N ights in a Bar-room 

340 Dumb Boyof Manchester 

341 BelphegortheMounteb'k 

342 Cricket on the Hearth 

343 Printer's Devil 

344 Meg's Diversion 



{French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page of Cover.) 



rard'i 
LLife 
Qd 



VOL. XLIV. 

345 Drunkard's Doom 

346 Chimney Corner 

347 Fifteen Years of a Drunk 

348 No Thoroughfare 

349 Peep O' Day 

350 Everybody's Frie 

351 Gen. Grant 

352 Kathleen Mavourneen 

VOL. XLV. 

353 Nick Whiffles 

354 Fruits of the Wine Cup 

355 Drunkard's Warning 

356 Temperance Doctor 

357 Aunt Dinah 

358 AVidow Freeheart 

359 Frou Frou 

360 Long Strike 

Vol. XLvr. 

361 Larcers 
.362 Lucille 

363 Raadall's Thumb 

364 Wicked World 

365 Tw« Orphans 

366 Colleen Bawn 

367 'Twixt Axe and Crown 

368 Lady Clancarthy 



VOL. XLVII. 

369 Saratoga 

370 Never Too Late to Mend 

371 Lily of France 

372 Led Astray 

373 Henry V 

374 Unequal Match 

375 May or Dolly's Delusion 

376 AUatoona 

VOL. XLVIIL 

377 Enoch Arden 

378 Under the Gas Light 

379 Daniel Rochat 

380 Caste 

381 School 

382 Home 

383 David Garrick 

384 Ours 

VOL. XLIX. 

385 Social Glass 

386 Daniel Druc« 

387 Two Roses 

388 Adrienne 

389 The Bells 

390 Uncle 

1 Courtship 

2 Not Such » Fool 



VOL. L. 

393 Fine Feathers 

394 Prompter's Box 

395 Iron Master 

396 Engaged 

o97 Pygmalion & Galatea 

398 Leah 

399 Scrap of Paper 

400 Lost in London 

VOL. LL 

401 Octoroon 

402 Confederate Spy 

403 Mariner's Return 

404 Ruined by Drink 

405 Dreams 

406 M. P. 

407 War 

408 Birth 
VOL. LII. 

409 Nightingale 

410 Progress 

411 Play 

412 Midnight Charge 

413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regimenv 
' Married for Money 

Hamlet in Three Acts 
Guttle & Gulpit 



FRENCH'S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION 
OP THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. 

The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy 



A PAIR OF SPECTACLES. Comedy in 3 Acts 
bjf SYONkY Ghundy, author of "Sowing the Wind," 
&c. 8 male, 3 female characters. 

A rOOIi'S PARADISE. An original play in 3 
Acts by Sydnkv Grinty, author of "Sowing the 
W^ind," Ac. 5 male, 4 female characters. 

THE SILVER SHIELD. An original comedy in 
3 Acts by Sydney Grundy, author of "Sowing the 
Wind," &c. 5 male, 3 female characters. 

THE GLASS OF FASHION. An original com- 
edy in 4 Acts by Syi'Nkv (Grundy, author of " Sowing 
the Wind," Ac. 6 male. 5 female characters. 



THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy in 8 Act* by J. 

H. Darni.ky and Manvillk Fenn. 6 male, 4 female 

characters. 
MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce in 3 Acts by Akthub 

Shirley. 7 male, 3 female characters. 
SIX PERSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zangwill. 

1 male, 1 female character. 
FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. Comedi- 
etta in 1 Act by Percy Fmndall. 1 male, 1 female 

character. 
HIGHLAND LEGACY. Comedy in 1 Act by 

Brandon Thomas, author of "Charley's Aunt." 

5 male, 2 female characters. 



Contents of Catalogue which is sent Free. 



Amateur Drama 

Amateur Operas 

Articles Needed by Amateurs 

Art of Scene Painting 

Baker's Reading Club 

Beards, Whiskers, Mustaches, etc. 

Bound Sets of Plays 

Bulwer Lytton's Plays 

Burlesque* Dramas 

Burnt Cork 

Cabman's Story 

Carnival of Authors 

Charade Plavs 

Children's Plays 

Comic Dramas for Male Characters 

only 
Costume Books 
Crape Hair 
Cumberland Edition 
Darkey Dramas 
Dramas for Boys 
Drawing-room IVIonoTogues 
Elocution, Reciters and Speakers 
Ethiopian Dramas 



Evening-'s Entertainment 

Fairy and Home Plays 

French's Costumes 

French's Editions 

French's Italian Operas 

French's Parlor Comediae 

French's Standard and Minor Drama 

French's Standard and Minor Drama, 

bound 
French's Scenes for Amateurs 
Frobisher's I'opular Recitals 
Grand Army Dramas 
(Juide Books for Amuteurs 
Guide to Selecting Plays 
Hints on Costumes 
Home Plavs for Ladies 
Irish Plays 
Irving's Plays 
Juvenile Plays 
Make-Up Book 
:\lHke-Up Box 
Mock Trial 

Mrs. Jarley'B Wax Works 
New Plays 



New Recitation Books 

Nigger Jokes and Stump Speeches 

Parlor Magic 

Parlor P.intomimes 

Pieces of Pleasantry 

Poems for Recitations 

Plays for Male Characters only 

Round Games 

Scenery 

Scriptural and Historical Dramas 

Sensation Dramas 

Serio-Comic Dramas 

Shadow Pantomimes 

Shakespeare's Plays for Amateurs 

Shakespeare's Plays 

Stanley's Dwarfs 

Spirit Gum 

Tableaux Vivants 

Talma Actor's Art 

Temperance Plays 

Vocal Music of Shakespeare's Plays 

Webster's Acting Edition 

Wigs, etc. 



{French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) 



I Love 
[Letter 



VOL. XLT, 

321 Adventures of 

322 ■ ost Child 

323 Court Cards 

324 Cox and Box 

325 I'ortv Winks 

326 Wonderful Woman 

327 Curious Case 

328 Tweedleton's Tail Coat 



VOL. XLIL 

329 As Like as Two Peas 

330 Presumptive Evidence 

331 Happv Band 

332 Pinafore 

333 Mock Trial 

3.S4 Mv Uncle's Will 

335 Happy Pair 

336 My Turn Next 



VOL. XLHL 

337 Sunset 

338 For Half a Million 

339 C-.ble Car 

340 Early Bird 
.341 Alumni Play 

342 Show of Hands 

343 Barbara 

344 Who's Who 



VOL. XLIV. 

345 Who's To Win Him 

346 Which is Which 

347 Cup of Tea 

318 Sarah's Young Man 

349 Hearts 

350 In Honor Bound [Law 

351 Freeiing a Mother-in- 

352 My Lord in Livery 



SAMUEL F"RE^i)f!H, 26 West 22d St., New York City, 



^^ New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request. 



FRENCH'S MINOR DRAMA. 

Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25. 



fep- 



VOL. I. 

1 Th« Irtsh Attorney 

2 Boots nt the Swan 

3 How to Pav the Rent 

4 The Loan of a Lover 
6 The Dead Shot 

6 Hli Last r..effs 

7 The Invis.ble Prince 

8 The Golden Farmer 

VOL. H. 

9 Pride of the Market 

10 Used Up 

11 The Irish Tutor 

12 The Barracli Room 

13 Luke the Laborer 

14 Beauty and the Beast 

15 St. Patrick's Eve 

16 Cspt.-iln of the Watch 

VOL. in. 

IT The Secret [jpi 

18 White Horae of the P< 
19The Jacobit* 

20 The Bottle 

21 Box and Cox 

22 Bamboozling 

23 Widow's Victim 

24 Robert Macaire 

VOL. IV. 

25 Secret Service 

26 Omnibus 

27 Irish Lion 

28 Maid of Croissy 

29 The Old Guard 

30 Raising the Wind 

31 Slasher and Crasher 

32 Naval Engagement* 

VOL. V. 

33 Cocknies iD<;;alifomi» 

34 Who Speaks First 

35 Bombastes Furioso 

36 Macbeth Travestie 

37 Irish Ambassador 

38 Delicate Ground 

39 The Weathercock [Gold 

40 All that Glitters is Not 

VOL. VI. 

41 Grimshaw, Bagshaw and 

Bradshaw 

42 Rough Diamond 

43 Bloomer Costume 
14 Two Bonnycastles 
45 Born to Good Luck 

16 Kiss In the Dark [jurer 
47 'Twould Puzzle a Con- 
18 KlU or Cure 

VOL. VII. 

49 Box and Cox Married and 

50 St. Cupid [Settled 
61 Go-to-bed Tom 

52 The Lawyers 

53 Jack Sheppard 

54 The Toodles 

66 The Mobcap 
56 Ladies Beware 

VOL. VIIL 

67 Morning Call 

58 Popping the Questlox 

59 Deaf as a Post 

60 Ne .7 Footman 

61 Pleasant Nelghlwr 

62 Paddy the Piper 

63 Brian O'LInn 

64 Irish Assuranca 

VOL. IX. 

65 Temptation 
6fl Paddy Carey 

67 Two Gregorles 

68 King Charming 

69 Po-ca-hon-tas 

70 Clockmaker'j Hat 

71 Married Rake 

72 Lore and Murder 

VOL. X. 

73 Ireland and America 

74 Pritty Piece of Business 

75 Iriih Broom-rriaker 

76 To Paris and Back for 

Five Pounds 

77 That Blessed Baby 

78 Our Gal 

79 Swiss Cottag* 

80 Young Widow 



VOL. XI. 

81 O'FLinnigan and the Fai 

82 Irish Post [ries 

83 My Neighbor's Wife 

84 Irish Tiger 

85 P. P., or Man and Tiger 

56 To Oblige Bentoa 

87 State Secrets 

88 Irish Vankee 

VOL. XIL 

89 A Good Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair Star 

91 Gale Breezely 

92 Our Jemimy 

93 Miller's Maid 

94 Awkward Arrival 

95 Crossing the Line 

96 Conjugal Lesson 

VOL. XIII. 

57 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Life in New York 

99 Middy Ashore 
00 Crown Prince 

101 T o Q'leens 

102 Thuuaj,.ng Legacy 

103 Unfinished Goatleman 

104 House Dog 

VOL. XIV. 

105 The Demon Lover 

106 Matrimony 

107 In and Oat of Place 

108 I Dine with My Mother 

109 Hi-a-wa-tha 

110 Andy Blake 

111 Love' in '76 J*'^' 

112 Romance under Difflcul- 

VOL. XV. 
13 One Coat for i Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [no rit v 

116 No; or, the Glorious Ml- 

117 Coroner's Inquisition 
Love in Humble Life 

119 Family Jars 

120 Personation 
VOL. XVI. 

121 Children in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 

1 23 Day After the Fair 

124 Makj Your Willi 
1J5 Rendezvous 

126 My Wife's Husband 
" 27 Monsieur Tonson 

128 Illustrious Stranger 
VOL. XVH. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 

130 A Live Woman io the 

131 The Corsair 

132 Shy lock 
Spoiled Child 

134 Evil Eye 

135 Nothing to Nurse 

136 Wanteds Widow 

VOL. xviir. 

137 Lottery Ticket 

1 38 Fortune's Frolic 

139 Is he Jealous f 

140 Married Bachelor 

141 Husband at Sight 

142 Irishman In London 

143 Animal Magnetism 

144 Highways and By-Ways 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 Ladies at Home 

148 Phenpmenon in a Smock 

Frock 

149 Cojnfdv and Tragedy 

150 Opposite Neighbors 

151 Dutchman's Ghost 

152 Persecuted Dutchman 

VOL, XX. 
153Mu»ard Ball 
..54 Great Tragic Revival 

155 High Low Jack & Game 

156 A Gentleman froon Ire- 

1 57 Tom and Jerry [land 

158 Village Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-miss 

160 Amateurs tnd Actors 



VOL. XXI. 

161 Promotion [ual 

162 A Fascinating Individ- 

163 Mrs. Caudle 

164 Shakespeare's Dream 
I6k Ntptune's Defeat 

166 Lady of Bedchamber 

167 Take Care of Little 

168 Irish Widow [Charley 

VOL. XXIL 

169 Yankee Peddler 

170 Hiram Hireout 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Drama Deiended 

173 Vermoiit Wool Dealer 

174 Ebeneier Venture [ter 

175 Principles from Charac- 

176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) 

VOL. XXIII. 

177 Mad Does 

178 Barney the Baron 

179 Swiss Swains 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 

185 More Blunders than One 
183 Dumb Belle 

ls4 Limerick Boy 

VOL. XXIV. 

165 Nature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 

187 Spectre Bridegroom 

188 Matteo Falcone 

189 Jenny Lind 

190 Two Buzzard* 

191 Happy M.-m 

192 Betsy Baker 
VOL. XXV. 

193 No. 1 Round the Comer 

194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 
"" My Fellow Clerk 

197 Bengal Tiger 

198 Laughing Hyena 

199 The Victor Vanquished 

200 Our Wife 
VOL. XXVL 

201 My Husband's Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 
903 Norah Creina 
204 Good for Nothing 
206 The First Night 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandering Minstrel 

208 Wanted, 1000 Milllnere 
VOL. XXVIL 

809 Poor Pilcoddy 

210 The Mummy [Glasses 

211 Don't Forget your Opera 
213 Love in Liveiy 

213 Anthony and Cleopatra 

214 Trying It On 

216 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 

brella 

VOL. xxvni. 

217 Crinoline 

218 A Faailly Failing 

219 Adopted Child 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match In the Dark 
223 Advice to Husbands 

223 Siamese Tvdns 

224 Sent to the Tower 

VOL. XXIX. 

225 Somebody Else 
2;6 Ladies' Battle 

227 Art of Acting 

228 The Lady of the Lion* 

229 The Rights of Man 

230 My Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 

Game 

232 Fighting by Proxy 

VOL, XXX. 

233 Unprotected Female 

234 Pet of the Petticoats 

235 Forty and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the Pocket- 

237 My Son Diana [sion 

238 Unwarrantable Intru- 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet Family 



(French''s Minor Drama Continued on ^dpage of Cover.) 



VOL. XXXI. 

241 Cool as Cucumber 

242 Sudden ThonghU 

243 Jombo Jam 

244 A Blighted Being 

245 Little Toddlckins 

246 A Lover by Proxy [Pail 

247 Maid with the Milking 

248 Perplexing Predicament 

VOL. XXXII. 

249 Dr. DUworth 

250 Out to Nurse 

251 A Lucky Hit 

262 The Dowager 

253 Metemora (Burlekque) 

254 Dreams of Delusion 

255 The Shaker Lover* 

256 Ticklish Times 

VOL. XXXIIL 
•m 20 Minutes with a Tiger 
258 Miralda ; or, the Justice 

of Tacon 
269 A Soldier's CourUhIp 

260 Servants by Legacy 

261 Dying for Love 
363 Alarming Sacrifice 

263 Valet de Sham 

264 Nichola* Nlckleby 

VOL. XXXIV. 

265 The Last of the Pigtails 

266 King Rene's Daughter 

267 The Grotto Nymph 

268 A Devilish Good Joke 

269 A Twice Told Tale 

270 Pas de Fascination 
v71 Revolutionary Soldier 

272 A Man Without a Head 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 

274 Tbe Olio, Part 2 

276 The Olio, Part 3 [ter 

276 The Trumpeter's Dauerh- 

277 Seeing Warren 

278 Green Mountain Boy 

279 That Nose 

280 Tom Noddy's Secret 

VOL. XXXVI. 

281 Shocking Eventa 

282 A Regular Fix 

283 Dick Turpin 
J84 Young Scamp 
28J Young Actresi 

286 Call at No. 1—7 

287 One Touch of If atnrt 

288 Two B'hoys 

VOL. XXXVII. 

289 All the World's a Stag* 

290 Quash, or Nigger PrJ*. 

291 Turn Him Out [tJee 

292 Pretty Girls of StlUberg 
393 Angel of the Attio 

294 CircumstancesalterCase* 

295 Katty O'Sheal 

296 A Supper in Dixie 

VOL. XXXVIIL 

297 Id on Parle Francals 

298 Who Killed Cock Robin 

299 Declaration of Independ- 

300 Heads or Tails fence 
801 Obstinate Family 

302 My Aunt 

303 That Rascal Pat 

304 Don Paddy de Bazan 

VOL. XXXIX. [ture 

305 Too Much for Good Na- 

306 Cure for the Fidgets 

307 Jack's the Lad 

308 MuchAdoAboutNothlng 

309 Artful Dodger 

310 Winning Hazard 

311 Day's Fishing [Ac 

312 Did vou ev^-r send yoar, 

VOL. XL. 

313 An Irishman's Maneuver 

314 Cousin Fannie 

315 'Ti« the Darkest Hour be- 

316 Masquerade [fore Dawn 
817 Crowding the Season 

318 Good Night's Rest 

319 Man with the Carpet Bag 

320 Terrible Tinker 



SAMUEL FRENCH a6 West 2ad Street. New York City. 

Uft^y and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free oh Request. 



'0^M%. 



. \^ 



